Two Gauteng traffic wardens arrested over alleged extortion scheme in Benoni

Two Gauteng Traffic Wardens known as "Amapanyaza" are expected to appear in court after being arrested in connection with an alleged extortion incident involving a domestic worker in Benoni.

According to preliminary reports, the officers approached the woman outside her workplace and requested her identification and immigration documents. After she was unable to produce proof of legal residence in South Africa, the officers allegedly demanded R4,000 in exchange for not taking further action against her.

The woman reportedly informed the officers that she did not have cash on hand but had funds available in her bank account. The officers then allegedly escorted her to a nearby ATM, where she withdrew R4,000 and handed the money over to them before they left the area.

The victim immediately reported the matter to her employer, who accompanied her to the Benoni Police Station to open a criminal case. She also provided investigators with a description of the vehicle used by the suspects and its registration number.

Law enforcement agencies were alerted, and a vehicle matching the description was later located on Tom Jones Street. Members of SAPS Norkem Park, assisted by private security personnel, stopped and searched the vehicle.

During the search, officers allegedly discovered several foreign passports. The suspects reportedly failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for possessing the documents.

Further investigations also revealed discrepancies relating to the vehicle. Authorities allegedly found that the licence disc displayed on the vehicle did not correspond with records on police and traffic department databases.

The two wardens were subsequently arrested on charges related to extortion and possession of suspicious documents. Investigations are continuing and additional charges may be considered.